Fall hasn't even officially started yet, and for most states in the U.S., it won't feel like fall for much longer. But the desire for pumpkin spice knows no bounds and even a 100-degree day in early September won't stop Americans from foaming at the mouth at the thought of a foamy PSL.
Unfortunately, one person's fall time favorite is another person's nightmare. I'm talking, of course, about the stress pumpkin spice lattes cause Starbucks baristas. Sure, it's not as big of a pain to make as the summertime staple (the labor-intensive frappuccino). But it still must be annoying when it's the only thing the whole world seems to be ordering from August through December.
But misery loves company and perhaps the best way to get through the particularly trying PSL season is with a good old fashioned support group. Thankfully, the Starbucks page on Reddit is the perfect place for baristas to talk out their pumpkin spice-induced stress.
Although PSLs can be annoying, many baristas are quick to remind their fellow Starbucks employees that at least these drinks are pretty easy to make. Plus, even baristas can't deny that pumpkin spice everything is a tasty treat. And for those who have already been at Starbucks for at least a year, they know what's coming.
Most baristas in this support group seem to be in agreement that it's not the actual drink they hate, but rather the customers who try to order it before it's available. Yes, Dunkin Donuts might have its pumpkin drinks already on the menu. Yes, other Starbucks might have gotten their pumpkin spice ingredients already. But that doesn't necessarily mean every Starbucks is ready yet and some customers just don't seem to get it.
All jokes aside, it's nice to see such a solid support system online for Starbucks baristas. The emotional wellbeing of service industry workers is so often overlooked; they deserve to have a few online laughs and an eye roll at the expensive of the PSL.